Knee bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa or fluid-filled sacks in the knee. These sacks allow the tendons to glide over the bones. Bursitis occurs when the bursa become inflamed. Generally, knee bursitis is treated noninvasively. The most important part of rehabilitation for knee bursitis is exercise that is designed to restore the proper lengths of tissues as they relate to one another.
Pain Relief
Bursitis is a very painful condition. Pain relief for knee bursitis is necessary and can be brought about by the use of over-the-counter pain medications, rest, ice, and elevation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil or Ibuprofin are effective. Applications of ice treatment should be done every two to four hours as needed. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, as this could cause skin damage. Place a towel between the ice and your skin. Rest the knee, and keep it elevated to help reduce inflammation.
Stretching Exercises
Ensuring the muscles and other tissues are properly stretched is important. A quad stretch involves standing at a wall and bending one leg, pulling the foot up with your hand until your foot touches the glute. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with other leg. The calf stretch requires you to stand facing the wall. The toes of both feet point forward, the toes of one foot against the wall and the other foot about 2 to 3 feet away from the wall. Lean your weight into the wall to stretch the calf muscle and then repeat with other leg. The hamstring stretch requires a doorway. Lay flat on the floor in the doorway with one leg laying flat on the floor and the other straight up the wall. Slowly move forward a little at a time to stretch out the hamstring. Repeat with other leg.
Strengthening Exercises
To strengthen the quads, sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Tighten your quads in one leg as much as you can and hold that muscle contraction for 10 seconds. Do three sets of 10 and then repeat on other side. The heel slide requires you to sit on the floor with your legs in front of you. Bend the injured leg at the knee and slide your heel toward your body. Reverse and repeat, doing three sets of 10. The final exercise requires you to lie in the floor with one leg bent at 90 degrees and the other leg straight out on the floor. Tighten the quads of the straight leg and lift the leg 6 to 12 inches off the floor. Lower and repeat three sets of 10 on each side.
Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
In addition to exercising at home, physiotherapy may also be required to help increase the flexibility and strength of the muscles around the knee. If the bursitis is the result of occupation or other activities, then an occupational therapist may be required to help modify the activities or work setting in order to avoid further injury.
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